Jim McNeill

Jim McNeill has spent over 40 years on the frontlines of polar exploration and environmental change. His passion was sparked at the young age of 16, on a winter Outward Bound Mountain course in the Lake District. From that moment on, there was no turning back.

McNeill’s path has taken him from scientific research to military training, high-stakes business to life-or-death emergency response, all while leading some of the toughest expeditions on Earth. Every chapter demanded performance, leadership, and teamwork.

Since 2001, his Ice Warrior Project has transformed everyday people into polar pioneers, collecting vital data on climate change and putting it in the hands of the world’s leading scientists.

His ability to turn raw, often brutal experiences into unforgettable stories, laced with insight, humor, and purpose, makes him a commanding voice on leadership, motivation, risk, and human potential.

McNeill’s latest venture, Ocean Warrior, launched in January 2023, is an ambitious 11-year commitment to uncover the true state of our oceans - exposing the unseen impacts of climate change in some of the most important and remote marine environments on Earth.

What sets McNeill apart is how openly he shares the truths he’s learned about human performance under pressure. He speaks from experience, twice coming close to losing his own life on expedition, about what it takes to lead, adapt, and endure when conditions are anything but ideal.

Leadership, for McNeill means trust, clarity, and a deep sense of care, values he’s lived and led with on every high-risk expedition. His talks unpack these with refreshing honesty. Kindness and good communication are just as vital as strategy, resilience and strength.

At the heart of his work is a tireless commitment to climate advocacy. Through his explorations, McNeill gathers vital scientific data to drive awareness of global environmental shifts, while also delivering citizen science and public engagement.

His storytelling style is both gripping and unapologetically human. He turns complex data and extreme experiences into messages that have true impact - authentic, inspiring, and impossible to forget.

Through Ocean Warrior, keynote speaking, his unique Icons Interviewed series and writing, McNeill continues to shape how we think about leadership, purpose, and the urgent need to protect our world.